Private Sector

Small to medium sized retailers were the biggest target of crime in the last year, according to the latest survey from the Federation of Small businesses (FSB).

http://www.lpportal.eu/content/editorial/articles/retail-environment/small-retailers-are-biggest-crime-victims/

An accounts assistant ripped off the Evans Halshaw Ford car dealership she worked for and was only caught after she went on maternity leave.

https://www.am-online.com/news/dealer-news/2019/10/28/.Xbf06HdJyKg.twitter

Five-a-side football company Goals Soccer Centres has called in the Serious Fraud Office to investigate a case of potential accounting fraud.

https://www.cityam.com/goals-soccer-centres-calls-in-serious-fraud-office/

Insurance firm Watchstone and law firm Slater & Gordon have settled a long running fraud claim just hours before a nine-week High Court trial was due to begin.

Construction safety test centre workers have been caught giving answers to candidates for cash.

Following recent regulatory investigations into fake certificates for construction workers, corporate and financial crime specialist Ramsay Hall looks at the risk of fraud for organisations in the sector and the practical steps that can be taken to mitigate risk.

https://www.scottishconstructionnow.com/article/ramsay-hall-tackling-fraud-in-the-construction-sector

A fraudster from Telford worked with a colleague at Aga cookers to create up to £19,000 worth of false invoices for work that had not been carried out.

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/crime/2019/10/17/telford-worker-involved-in-19000-fraud-at-aga/

At a time of geopolitical uncertainty and massive technological advances, corporate fraud is increasing, with cyber crime, particularly in relation to the misuse of data, especially prevalent. There has also been a demonstrable increase in detected bribery, corruption and wider corporate malfeasance. In response, government and enforcement agencies are continuing to ramp up their anti-fraud activities, utilising a range of new legislative tools against companies and individuals. Companies need to track such developments carefully and update their fraud prevention strategies accordingly.

https://www.financierworldwide.com/roundtable-corporate-fraud-nov19#.Xa2mEm5FznN

A judge has heard concerns over delays in a £2m-plus fraud case involving a woman from Tyrone.

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/concern-over-delays-in-bringing-2-3m-fraud-case-to-court-38593196.html

Former football "super-agent" Willie McKay has denied committing fraud by buying £63,000-worth of gifts for his wife while he was bankrupt.